Sound Barrier Fence Panels

ABSTRACT

A sound barrier fence is adapted to reduce the noise level between industrial or business properties and dwellings that use a sound deadening core of fence panels and placement of the panels in a fence to reduce sound transmission.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to fence panels and, more particularly, to sound barrier fencing.

RELATED ART

This invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 63/226,612, titled “Sound Barrier Fence Panels,” filed on Jul. 28, 2021, incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND.

As businesses push closer to homes in suburban America, noise has become an increasing problem. Traditionally, it was vehicle noise that created issues with homeowners. But, as business, such as fast-food establishments, are built next to homes, speaker noise from drive-thru ordering kiosks are becoming more of an issue than the vehicle noise. Attempts to reduce vehicle noise have occurred along highways and expressways. However, these approaches often required concrete walls that had filling material added during the placement of the walls. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,593. The size, weight, cost, and construction requirements typically made these walls unsuitable for use between buildings in the suburbia.

Further, traditional fencing is commonly used along with or in place of landscaping to screen or hide a business from homes. But such approaches do little if anything to reduce the amount of noise from reaching the homes.

Therefore, there is a need for methods and systems for creating and installing fencing that visually appeal in a suburban setting while reducing and redirecting sounds away from homes and other non-business locations.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide an approach for fencing that is made from panels that are able to attach to a post in such a manner to reflect the sound back towards a business. Further, the panels are constructed such that they have a core encased in a polymer structure. The construction of the panels results in the panels being light enough to be transported to a worksite and erected without heavy equipment. Additionally, the panels are weather and corrosion-resistant. Another benefit is applying decorations to the panels during the construction of the panels, in a suburban setting, making them visually appealing.

Other methods, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a sound reduction fence with a plurality of panels in accordance with and an example implementation of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the sound reduction fence of FIG. 1 in accordance with an example implementation of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the makeup of one of a plurality of panels that make up the sound reduction fence in accordance with an example implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unlike the known approaches previously discussed, a sound reduction fence is described comprising a plurality of panels that aid in the reduction of sound transmission in addition to providing a barrier that redirects the sound transmission where the panels meet support members. In FIG. 1 , a top view of the sound reduction fence 100 with a plurality of panels 102-110 is illustrated in accordance with and an example implementation of the invention. The panels are coupled to support members 112-122. Each panel, such as 102, is secured to the support member, such as 114, on an opposite side to another panel, such as 104. The resulting effect is a zigzag or zipper appearance in the top view of the sound reduction fence 100.

Turning to FIG. 2 , a front view 200 of the sound reduction fence 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in accordance with an example implementation. In the current implementation, stainless steel self-threading screws anchor each panel to the support members or posts. In other implementations, adhesives, nails, rivets, bolts, or other fastening technics may be employed to secure the plurality of panels to the support members. The posts may be composed of wood, metal, stone, polymer, or concrete. But, in the preferred implementation, a polymer-covered support member of treated wood would be preferred as the wood would be solid enough to support the panels and weather-resistant. The panels create areas 124-132 in the sound reduction fence 100 that is an angle area that is unbroken along the support member that reflects sound and prevents sounds from bouncing around or through the sound reduction fence.

The panels 102-110 are depicted in FIG. 2 as ending above grade 124. It is preferable that the panels extend to grade or have the grade increased to prevent a space where sound may pass. With sound unable to pass under the panels and the zigzagging of the panels creates areas enclosed on three sides 124-132 in the sound reduction fence 100 that is an angle area that is unbroken along the support members 112-122 that reflects sound and prevents sounds from bouncing around or through the sound reduction fence. An advantage of this approach is each panel has a maximum horizontal area on the support member, such as 114, engaged with one of the faces of a panel 102. This approach also has the advantage of increasing the structural stability of the support members, such as 114, with an “I” type structure when two panels 102 and 104 are secured to the support panel.

In FIG. 3 , a top view 300 of the makeup of one of a plurality of panels 114 that make up the sound reduction fence 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in accordance with an example implementation. A rectangle metal frame 302 is formed in the shape of a panel. The metal frame 302 may be composed of welded members. Other materials may be used for the frame in other implementations, such as wood, polymer members, or a combination of materials. An extruded polystyrene foam 304, such as a polystyrene sound deadening foam, is applied between the metal frame 302. The area between the metal frame 302 is filled with sound deadening core material. The width of the frame is preferably the width of the polystyrene foam. The preferred sizes are 1½″, 2″, and 2½.″ But, sound reducing panel material would be available in various thicknesses, and sound reducing requirements would determine what thickness would be needed. In some implementations, the polystyrene foam may encase the fully or partially the metal frame 302. The frame assembly (metal frame 302 and polystyrene foam 304) is then covered in a weatherproof molded polyurethane outer cover 306. In the preferred implementation, all six sides of a panel are covered with the polyurethane cover. The thickness of the polyurethane covering is ¼″ in the preferred implementations, but thicker coverings may be used to increase durability. The panels' preferred sizes are 10×10, 10×15, 10×20, and 10×25 feet.

A decoration or ornamental design may be molded into the polyurethane cover. The advantage of molding in the decorative design is there are no fasteners or cracks for water penetration. In summary, the sound reduction fence is composed of lighter weight panels than other approaches, sealed against weather penetration, assembled to create a fence that prevents sound ways from passing around fence elements and reflects sounds.

A sound barrier fence panel has been described that has frame filled in with sound deadening core material and polyurethane outer cover that encases the frame and sound deadening core material. The sound deadening core material is sound deadening polystyrene foam in the current implementation. In other implementations, other sound deadening core material may be used as long as it is suitable for being encased by polyurethane. The polyurethane outer cover of the sound barrier fence panel has a decorative element that may be seamlessly integral with the polyurethane outer cover. For example, the decorative element is molded into the polyurethane outer cover. The frame of the sound barrier fence panel may be a metal frame. For example, steel, iron, or aluminum

The foregoing description of an implementation has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sound reduction fence, comprising: a plurality of panels, where each panel has a frame with extruded polystyrene that is enclosed in a weatherproof enclosure; and a support member having a first support side and a second support side, where a first panel of the plurality of panels is coupled to the first support side and a second panel of the plurality of panels is coupled to the second support side, and the first support side is on an opposite side of the second support side.
 2. The sound reduction fence of claim 1, wherein the support member, the first panel, and the second panel define a space enclosed on three sides.
 3. The sound reduction fence of claim 1, wherein the first panel overhangs the first support side of the support member and the second panel overhangs the second support side of the support member.
 4. The sound reduction fence of claim 1, wherein at least the first panel has a first panel side that has an integrated design element.
 5. The sound reduction fence of claim 4, wherein the integrated design element is molded into the first panel side.
 6. The sound reduction fence of claim 1, wherein the first panel has a sound deadening core material.
 7. The sound reduction fence of claim 1, wherein the first panel has a polyurethane outer cover.
 8. The sound reduction fence of claim 1, wherein the first panel has a metal frame filled with sound deadening core material and encased in polyurethane.
 9. A sound reduction fence panel, comprising: a frame; sound deadening core material; and polyurethane outer cover that encases the frame and sound deadening core material.
 10. The sound reduction fence panel of claim 9, wherein the sound deadening core material is sound deadening polystyrene foam.
 11. The sound reduction fence panel of claim 9, wherein the polyurethane outer cover has a decorative element.
 12. The sound reduction fence panel of claim 11 wherein the decorative element is seamlessly integrated with the polyurethane outer cover.
 13. The sound reduction fence panel of claim 9, wherein the frame is a metal frame.
 14. The sound reduction fence panel of claim 13, wherein the frame is aluminum. 